Safety leverage extension



Filed NOV. 1 '14, 1961 1m28, 1964 EESIMPSON 3,119,278

SAFETY LEVERAGE EXTENSION 2 sheets-sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

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V \n i United States Patent O 3,119,2.7S SAFETY LEN/ERASE EXTENSEGN Elmer Lee Simpson, 704 N. Carol Ave., Monahans, Tex. Filed Nov. 14, 1961, Ser. No. 152,336 1 Claim. (Cl. M -524) This linvention relates to a load binder, and more particularly to `a manually operable safety device for use with such a load binder.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a manually operable tool which is adapted to be arranged in engagement with the handle of a load binder or load tightener whereby the load binder can be `operated with increased safety and facility.

A further object is to provide a safety leverage extension or tool which is adapted to be used in conjunction with load binders that are used for securing a load such as a load of logs, pipes or other members in position, and wherein the tool of the present invention is especially suitable for preventing injury to workmen or the like when the handle of the load binder moves past dead center.

Still another object is to provide such a safety leverage extension or tool which is rugged in structure and foolproof in use and which is economical to manufacture and ehicient in operation.

These and other objects of the invention will beco ie apparent from a reading of the following speciication and claim, together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are referred to and indicated by like reference characters and wherein:

FlGURE 'l is a lperspecitve view of the safety leverage extension tool of the present invention.

FlGURE 2 is a side elevational view, showing the use of the safety leverage extension tool of the present invention being used for tightening the load binder.

FEGURE 3 is a view generally similar to FlGURE 2, but with parts broken away and in section, and showing the relative movement between the parts of the tool when the handle passes dead center so that injury to personnel will be prevented.

FGURE 4 is a side elevational view showing the tool of the present invention reversed from the position shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 and illustrating how the tool of the present invention is adapted to be used `for releasing the load binder.

FIGURE 5 is a view corresponding to `FlGURE 4 and illustrating how the relative movement between the parts of the tool is adapted to be used for preventing injury yto workmen or personnel using the tool.

FlGURE 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is an elevational view illustrating another use or further use of the tool.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken generally on the line 8 3 of FIGURE 4.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 29 indicates a load which may consist of a plurality of stacked logs or other articles or members, FIGURE 4, and the numeral 21 indicates `a chain or line which is adapted to be used for holding the load 2li in stacked position on a suitable structure or `a suitable location. The numeral 22 indicates a conventional load binder which includes the usual basepiece 23 that has an eye on an end thereof which is indicated bythe numeral 24, and the eye 2e is connected to a link 2S on an end of the chain 2l. The base piece 23 is further shaped to include a pair of spaced apart arms 25, and the numeral 27 indicates a bracket which includes a handle 2S, and the bracket 27 further includes a pair of spaced apart wall portions 29 that Iare pivotally connected to the arms 26 as for example by means of pivot pins 36; The load binder 22. further includes a shank 3l that is pivotally connected to the wall Patented Jari. 28, i964 ICC 2 portions 29 as `for example by means of a pivot pin or pintle 32. A clevis 33 is suitably connected to the shank 3l, and the numeral 34E- indicates a hook which is connected to the clevis 33 and the hook 34 is adapted to engage a link or ring member 35 on an end of the chain 21, as for example as shown in the drawings.

According to the present invention there is provided a safety leverage extension or tool which is indicated generally by the numeral 36, and as shown in 4the drawings, the tool 36 includes a rod 37 that is provided with a tapered end portion 33 which can be used as a convenient prying tool or the like, as for example as shown in FlG- URE 7 the end yportion 323 is used for separating or prying apart cylindrical members such as the members 39, and such members 39' `may be tubular articles, steel pipes or the like.

The tool 36 further includes a generally cylindrical body member itl which is secured to or formed integral with the rod 37, and the body member lil has a tapered section ill. The body member is provided with a support portion that is indicated generally by the numeral 42, and the support portion 42 includes a pair of spaced apart wall sections te which are joined or interconnected by an larcuate wall portion 43, and the wall sections 44- and the wall portion 43 coact to define therebetween a hollow or recessed chamber 45, for a purpose to be later described. A rod 37 is of less diameter than the body member ed. As shown in the drawings there is provided a tapered shoulder lo on the body member 41d adjacent the chamber 45.

The wall portion 43 is recessed or cutaway as at 47 whereby there is defined a 4pair of spaced apart lugs or apertured lingers d3` on the ends of the wall sections 44, and the numeral 149/ indicates a hollow open ended tubular support member, and the support member i9 is pivotally connected to :the lugs 4S by means of pivot pins 5d. The support member il@ is mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the chamber 45, and the support member f1.9 has 'a beveled or tapered end portion 5l for coaction with the shoulder l5` when the support member is in the chamber 415. The support member 419 is adapted to receive therein the handle 23 of the load binde-r 22, when the load binder is in tightened or loosened position.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a safety leverage extension tool which is yesp-.,- cially suitable and useful in conjunction with load binders wherein workmen can work with increased safety and facility.

In use, with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, it will be noted that the chain or line 2l is adapted to be used for securing a load such as the load Ztl in place and wherein the load Ztl may consist of stacked cylindrical articles such as logs or any other articles, and the load binder 22 which is of conventional construction is used for maintaining the chain 2l under the desired tension in order to maintain the load in its proper position. The load binder 22 has one end connected las at 2d to a link 2S on one end of the chain 2l, and the load binder 22 further includes a hoo-k 34 for engaging a link 35y on the other end of the chain as for example as shown in FGURE 4.

Ordinarily, when the load binder 22 is to be actuated or released or tightened, the handle 2S is manually moved, and since the handle 23 is formed integral with the bracket 27 which includes the portions 29, and with the shank 3d pivotally connected to the portions Z9 as at 32, it will be seen that this swinging or pivotal movement of the handle 2S can be used for releasing or locking the hook 35i as desired or required.

Normally, when the handle 2S is manually moved, as the handle 23 moves past dead center position, the handle 3 28 has a tendency to snap into its iinal position and this snapping action is quite dangerous since it may injure the workmens fingers or hands or other parts of the body. The tool 35 of the present invention is constructed whereby this danger is eliminated or overcome and this is due to the construction of the tool 36 which includes the pivotal mounting t) between the support member 49 in the body member 40. Thus, by arranging the support member 49 in engagement with the handle 28, and then gripping the rod portion 37 and moving the tool 36 in the desired direction, in the event that the handle 28 snaps into its final resting position when it passes dead center, then there will be a pivotal action between the support member 49 and the body member 4t) which will permit the user to maintain his hand as indicated by the nu meral 52, FIGURE 5, in engagement with the rod 37 so that injury to the hand or other parts of the workmans body can be prevented.

After the tool has been used for moving the handle 28, the tool can be disengaged or removed from the handle 28 and this is due to the hollow open ended construction of the support member 49 which conveniently receives therein the end portion of the handle 2S.

The body member 49 is provided with the support portion 42 which is recessed as at 47 so as to provide sutiicient clearance to permit the support member 49 to pivot, as for example as shown in FIGURE 5. In addition, the support member 42 is shaped to include the recessed section or chamber 45 which is deiined by the walls 44 and 43 so that for example with the parts in the position of FIGURES 2 and 4, a portion of the support member 49 will be conveniently and snugly received in the chamber 45.

The tool 36 is constructed so that it can be conveniently gripped in the hand, as for example as shown in FIG- URE 5 the hand 52 can be arranged in engagement with `the rod 37 for facilitating the manual manipulation of the tool.

The rod 37 has the tapered end 38 which permits the use thereof as a prying tool or lever, as for example as shown in FIGURE 7 the tapered end 38 can be used for prying loose cylindrical articles such as pipes 39 which may be stacked in a pile or the like.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

In the drawings, FIGURE 2 illustrates the position of the parts when the load binder and chain are being tightened so that in FIGURE 2, the tool 36 and handle 23 are being moved in a counter-clockwise direction. In FIG- URE 3 there is illustrated a further step in the act of tightening the mechanism, and wherein the tool is being moved in a counter-clockwise direction, and in FIGURE 3 the pivotal connection at the points 50 illustrate how the handle 28 and support member 49 can pivot relative to the body member 40 in order to prevent injury to the workmen.

FIGURE 4 shows the tool of the present invention applied in a reverse position from that shown in FIGURE 2, and in FIGURE 4 the tool 36 is shown in position to release or unlock the mechanism 22, and the tool 36 and handle 28, when in the position of FIGURE 4, are adapted to be manually moved in a clockwise direction. FIG- URE 5 shows a further step in the unlocking or releasing of the load binder 22, and wherein the handle and tool are moving in a clockwise direction, and wherein the pivotal connection 50 permits the support member 49 to pivot relative to the body member 49 in order to insure that the snap action of the handle 28 which occurs after the handle passes dead center, will not cause injury to the workmen.

In addition, the tool 36 adds leverage to a part such as the handle 28 so that not only does the present invention function as a safety device, but in addition it provides a means for increasing leverage of a mechanism such as the load binder 22. Also, as shown in FIGURE 7 the tool can be used as a pry bar.

Heretofore, when pressing the handle of load binders down or when manually moving the handle, the handle has had a tendency to jump or fly shut once it passed beyond dead center, as for example when excessive tension is pulled on the chains in securing a load of pipes, logs, lumber and the like on various types of carriers or the like. It is when the load binder handle is passed dead center that the handle will jump which provides a sort of booby-trap to the Workmen regardless of whether he is closing or opening the load binder, and if he is opening the binder it will fly or jump open once it is released past the dead center when tension is on the mechanism. The present invention eliminates such danger and hazards when opening or closing load binders and securing loads on carriers or the like, and the tool of the present invention is simple and practical and can be made at a very low cost. Since load binders are made in many diierent sizes, the tool of the present invention can be made in different sizes in order to t these diierent sizes of load binders.

As shown in the drawings, the binder can be released and as shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, the hand gripping portion or rod 37 can be easily held with no strain or the like whereas when an ordinary piece of pipe is used for trying to move the handle, there is a good possibility that the workman may be thrown from the truck or otherwise harmed.

In order to secure various kinds of loads on carriers with chains and load binders or boomers, it is usually necessary to apply additional leverage to the handle of the binders, and heretofore truck drivers have usually used short sections of pipe several feet long which has been referred to as a cheaten While such pieces of pipe have been used for a considerable period of time, it is extremely dangerous. For example, when a lot of pressure is applied to the load binder handle in securing a load on a carrier, it is always necessary to apply an equal amount in releasing the load by unbuckling the binder which is done by pulling up on the handle, and if a cheater is used in closing a boomer and in securing a load, it will be necessary to use one in unbuckling the boomer. When buckling or closing load binders, the ngers and hands are in extreme danger of being injured, and when unlocking the binder, a person is exposing many parts of his body to injury. This is because the handle will y outward with great force. By using a piece of pipe for a cheater and wherein such piece of pipe is stiff and rigid, many workmen have been injured and some have been killed. With the instrument or tool of the present invention, a foolproof and safe and efficient and practical device is provided for overcoming these disadvantages.

With the present invention all of the pressure can be put on the handle or rod 37 of the leverage extension without fear or danger, and when the workman wishes to release the binder or boomer, it is only necessary to flip the support member 49 over the handle 23 of the binder and in a reverse position and pull up or outward without fear of ying metal, since regardless of which way the handle 28 of the load binder tries to jump or ilip, the hand gripping rod portion 37 of the safety extension of the present invention can be safely held without pain or strain.

Although the invention herein described is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and that the invention is not to be limited to the details of construction herein described other than as defined in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A safety leverage extension comprising a body member including spaced apart wall sections joined by an arcuate wall portion, said wall sections and wall portion coacting to deine therebetween a recessed chamber, a pair of spaced apart lugs on the portions of the wall sections adjacent one end of said body member, a tubular member having one end pivotally connected to said lugs for movement of said tubular member into and out of said recess chamber, said tubular member When Within said recess chamber bearing against said Wall portion, said tubular member being adapted to receive through said one end thereof the free end portion of the handle of a load binder of the type having an overcenter locking action, hand grip means embodying a rod projecting from the other end of said body member, said body member being adapted to be used as an extension of said handle when the latter is Within said tubular member so that References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 585,123 Severance June 22, 1897 798,827 Pirsch Sept. 5, 1905 2,182,583` `Fischer Dec. 5, 1939 2,641,939 McKee June 16, 1953 

